Latest Updates

Wild's Mara Suspended at AHL

News:Paul Mara has been suspended for three games for leaving the bench and getting into an altercation at Houston of the AHL, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Analysis: With Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin hurt, Paul Mara could be an option with further Wild injuries on the blue line. However, this suspension won't make him an option in the first week of the NHL season.

New Hab Mara Practices

News: Mara, acquired by Montreal from Anaheim early Thursday morning, practiced with his new teammates Friday, the Montreal Gazette reports.

Analysis: Mara was not able to get to Edmonton in time for Thursday night's game against the Oilers, so he watched that one from a press box. He'll suit up Sunday for the Heritage Classic against Calgary.

Habs Acquire Mara From Ducks

News: The Ducks have traded Mara back to the Canadiens for a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft, the Associated Press reports.

Analysis: Mara hadn't played since Jan. 18 and had often been a healthy scratch for Anaheim this season, and was even more expendable when the Ducks re-acquired Francois Beauchemin last week. The Habs are going through some injuries on the blue line, so perhaps the veteran will fill a depth role right away. Either way, this has become a deep position for the Habs, even when you factor in the loss of Andrei Markov.

Mara Scores Game-Winner For the Ducks

News: Mara scored the game-winning goal for the Ducks with 1.7 seconds left against the Predators on Sunday night.

Analysis: The goal was Mara's first since February 2009. Mara once was a potent force on the power play, but he doesn't have any power-play points this year and had a pretty disappointing season with the Habs last year.

Mara opts for season-ending surgery

News:The Sports Xchange reports Canadiens D Paul Mara, who has missed the last 20 games with a shoulder injury, has gone home to Boston and will have season-ending shoulder surgery.

Analysis: Mara has played his last game for the Canadiens because he's on a one-year contract and there are no plans to bring him back next season. It was a very disappointing stint for Mara since it was marred by injury. Mara had no goals, eight assists and a minus-16 rating in 43 games. Mara is likely to latch on with another team, but his days of being a 40-point threat appear to be in the past. Drop Mara in all Fantasy formats. He will be a low-end flier on Draft Day 2010.

Mara held out a third game

News: Montreal D Paul Mara (upper body) missed his third straight game on Wednesday against the Lightning. He did not make the Florida trip, which included a game Tuesday against the Panthers.

Analysis: Since leaving Phoenix a few seasons ago, Mara's offensive game has all but vanished. He has just eight points in 43 games this season and remains only worth worrying about in deeper formats when healthy. He has not had a good first season with Montreal, which has been slowed by injuries at times.

Mara doesn't make trip to Florida

News: The Montreal Gazette reports that Canadiens D Paul Mara (upper body) didn't make the trip to Florida for the two games against Florida and Tampa Bay on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Analysis: Since leaving Phoenix a few seasons ago, Mara's offensive game has all but vanished. He has just eight points in 43 games this season and remains only worth worrying about in deeper formats. Bench him for Fantasy Week 17 (Jan. 25-31).

Mara returns from five-game absence

News: Canadiens D Paul Mara was back in the lineup on Sunday against the Sabres after missing five games with a hand/wrist injury. He had no points in 14:02 of ice time and finished at even. He has no points in his last 13 games.

Analysis: Mara missed some time earlier in December with an upper-body injury, but his latest setback was not believed to be related. Mara has no goals, seven assists and a minus-12 rating in 35 games. He has not played well in his first year with the Habs. Mara has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy.

Mara's return remains uncertain

News:The Sports Xchange reports Canadiens D Paul Mara suffered a hand injury late in the second period of the Dec. 21 game in Atlanta, and he returned to Montreal the following day for treatment. He has joined the team on its four-game post-Christmas road trip but his hand and wrist are still swollen and there's no word on when he's expected back in the lineup.

Analysis: Mara missed some time earlier in December with an upper-body injury, but this latest setback is not believed to be related. Mara has no goals, seven assists and a minus-12 rating in 34 games. He has not played well in his first year with the Habs. Mara has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy.

Opening on blue line paves Mara's return

News: Montreal's Roman Hamrlik did not play Thursday against the Wild one night after leaving Wednesday night's game with a knee injury. With Hamrlik out, Montreal's defense was bolstered by the return of Paul Mara, who missed five games because of an upper body injury. Mara had no points in 21:34 of ice time and finished at plus-1.

Analysis: Mara hasn't been practicing much over the last week, but it seems he has done enough to get back into the Montreal lineup. He still doesn't have a point in 10 games and isn't doing much on offense in 2009-10. In fact, his defense has also been a little suspect with a minus-12 rating. Mara has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy.

Mara scratched a fifth game

News: Canadiens D Paul Mara (upper body) was unable to play on Wednesday against the Devils. He has been sidelined for five games and remains day to day.

Analysis: Mara is going for therapy on his undisclosed upper-body injury, but he is not making a speedy recovery. We are surprised he hasn't landed on IR. Mara is a towering presence on the blue line, but he is no longer a top offensive threat. He has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy.

Mara still out on Monday

News: Canadiens D Paul Mara (upper body) did not return to the lineup on Monday against the Sabres. He has missed the last four games and remains day to day.

Analysis: Mara could use some time off since he hasn't recorded a point in his last nine games and his offensive game has been weak since opening the season with four assists in his first four games. Mara is a towering presence on the blue line, but he is no longer a top offensive threat. He has low-end Fantasy appeal.

Mara hasn't practiced since injury

News:The Sports Xchange reports Canadiens D Paul Mara left the Monday's game against Philadelphia with an upper-body injury. The Canadiens say Mara is day-to-day but he hasn't practiced since the injury and has missed three games.

Analysis: Mara could use some time off since he hasn't recorded a point in his last nine games and his offensive game has been weak since opening the season with four assists in his first four games. Mara is a towering presence on the blue line, but he is no longer a top offensive threat. He has low-end Fantasy appeal.

Mara suffers upper-body injury

News: Canadiens defenseman Paul Mara left Monday's game against the Flyers with an upper body injury in the second. He did not return. Mara had no points and a minus-1 rating in 4:58 of ice time.

Analysis: Mara has no points in his last eight games and is minus-5 in that span. He started well in his first season with the Canadiens, but has definitely hit a cold streak since late October with just two point since Oct. 24. Mara is a towering presence on the blue line, but he is no longer a top offensive threat. He has low-end Fantasy appeal when healthy. He is also a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.

Mara off to fast start in 2009-10

News: Canadiens D Paul Mara has four assists in six games this season, after only putting 21 points all of 2008-09. He also has 19 penalty minutes, although a disappointing minus-5 rating leaves something to be desired.

Analysis: Mara is off to a nice start this season, but his ice time will surely be cut if his plus/minus rating continues to slide. Only worry about him in deeper leagues.

Mara has three assists in three games

News: Canadiens D Paul Mara tallied two assists and finished at plus-1 during Tuesday's game against the Flames. He has now has three assists in three contests.

Analysis: With the injury to Andrei Markov (foot), Mara is going to play a more starring role on the Habs' blue line. Mara flashed 30-assist potential back in the day before landing on his feet in New York. He definitely has the potential to be a Fantasy sleeper in 2009-10 and his fast start is great news.

Mara signs with Canadiens

News: The Canadiens have signed free agent D Paul Mara to a one-year contract, adding size and experience to their group of defensemen.

Analysis: The 29-year-old Mara had five goals and 16 assists in 76 games with the New York Rangers last season. He has 63 career goals for the Rangers, Tampa Bay, Phoenix and Boston. He remains pretty much just a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.

Mara opens April with two points

News: Rangers D Paul Mara tallied two assists and finished at even in 16:22 of ice time Thursday against the Hurricanes. Mara had all of two points in 13 March games.

Analysis: Mara never really responded to the coaching of Tom Renney and hasn't fared much better since John Tortorella came on board. Mara has little to no Fantasy appeal at this time. He is pretty much just a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.

Mara has just two March points

News: Rangers D Paul Mara failed to record a point and finished at even in 15:26 of ice time Monday against the Devils. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box for cross-checking. Mara has no goals and two assists in 13 March games.

Analysis: Mara never really responded to the coaching of Tom Renney and hasn't fared much better since John Tortorella came on board. Mara has little to no Fantasy appeal at this time. He is pretty much just a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.

Mara makes early return Thursday

News: Rangers D Paul Mara returned to the lineup Thursday against the Panthers after missing five games when he hurt his right shoulder while throwing a punch during a fight. Mara didn't have a point in 16:25 of ice time and finished at even. He was denied a goal in the third period after Craig Anderson made a fantastic save.

Analysis: Mara made a surprisingly early return to the lineup following a shoulder injury that was expected to keep him sidelined weeks, possibly the rest of the season. Mara never really responded to the coaching of Tom Renney, but now John Tortorella is behind the bench, it will be interesting to see if Mara can return to his offensive ways. For now, he still has low-end Fantasy appeal.

Mara has no structural damage

News: According to Newsday, there is good news on Paul Mara's MRI as there is no structural damage to his right shoulder and he won't need surgery. Mara's arm remains in a sling and is still listed as out indefinitely.

Analysis: Mara has been a good two-way player for the Rangers this season and his presence on the ice means a lot more to the Rangers than to Fantasy owners. He still may not be back before the season ends, but at least he should be fine for next year. Either way, he's only a low-end option to begin with.

Mara could miss remainder of season

News:The Sports Xchange reports Rangers D Paul Mara will undergo an MRI exam Tuesday or Wednesday in New York after suffering a shoulder injury in a fight Sunday with Philadelphia's Arron Asham. Mara, who did not accompany the Rangers to St. Louis for Monday's 2-1 loss, is expected to miss several games -- and possibly the remainder of the season.

Analysis: Mara has five goals and 11 assists this season with a minus-2 rating. He had been a plus until Sunday, when he was on the ice for three Flyers goals. He is a good two-way player, but Mara still remains more of a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Mara staying home after injury

News: Rangers defenseman Paul Mara injured his right shoulder Sunday during a third-period fight with Philadelphia's Arron Asham and stayed home from New York's trip to St. Louis after the game. Mara had a brief examination of his shoulder at Madison Square Garden, but swelling prevented a closer look. He was immediately ruled out of Monday's road game against the Blues and left the arena with his right arm in a sling. The fight was stopped when Mara was injured 6:14 into the third period of Philadelphia's 5-2 victory. "The first two punches I was swinging and I could feel something in there and I stopped," Mara said. "Give Arron a lot of credit. The respectful player that he is, he stopped. It was a very good character thing on his part."

Analysis: Mara, who conveyed that sentiment in a conversation with Asham, said he has never had a shoulder injury and held out hope he could return quickly from this one. The 6-foot-4 Mara has been one of the Rangers' most consistent defensemen this season and has played with an added measure of snarl throughout his 56 games. "We'll take it day by day and see how it feels in the next couple of days," the 29-year-old veteran of 10 NHL seasons said. "Right now it's pretty painful so they'll wait a couple of days, wait for the swelling to go down and assess it." Mara has five goals and 11 assists this season with a minus-2 rating. He had been a plus until Sunday, when he was on the ice for three Flyers goals. He is a good two-way player, but Mara still remains more of a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Mara pops shoulder out in win

News: LoHud.com reports that Rangers D Paul Mara popped his right shoulder out Saturday during a fight with Arron Asham. It will take a few days for the swelling to go down before the injury can be diagnosed.

Analysis: Mara will have some nice offensive bursts from time-to-time, but the fact remains is that he hasn't been as effective as an offensive weapon since joining New York in 2006-07. He is a good two-way player, but Mara still remains more of a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Mara returns to action

News: Rangers D Paul Mara (flu) returned to the ice on Monday night in a 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Mara did not register any points in almost 19 minutes on the ice.

Analysis: Mara doesn't have a point in his last 10 games and has just four goals in 53 games this season. He isn't even getting it done passing with just 11 assists. It has been another trying year for Mara since joining the Rangers late in 2006-07. Mara remains a low-end Fantasy option.

Mara probable for Monday

News:Newsday reports Rangers defenseman Paul Mara, who missed Friday's game with the flu, was on the ice during Monday's optional skate and is expected to face the Devils.

Analysis: Mara doesn't have a point in his last nine games and has just four goals in 52 games this season. He isn't even getting it done passing with just 11 assists. It has been another trying year for Mara since joining the Rangers late in 2006-07. Mara remains a low-end Fantasy option when healthy, but appears to be a safe play Week 19 (Feb. 2-8).

Mara held out against Stars

News:Newsday reports Rangers D Paul Mara was scratched Friday against the Stars because of the flu. He is questionable heading into Monday against the Devils.

Analysis: Mara doesn't have a point in his last nine games and has just four goals in 52 games this season. He isn't even getting it done passing with just 11 assists. It has been another trying year for Mara since joining the Rangers late in 2006-07. Mara remains a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Flu bug hits Rangers' Mara

News:Newsday reports Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (flu), Paul Mara (flu) and Dmitri Kalinin (back) didn't skate Thursday after the team arrived in Dallas, as they prepare for Friday's game against the Stars. Defenseman Corey Potter was recalled from Hartford of the AHL in the event Mara isn't game ready.

Analysis: Mara doesn't have a point in his last nine games and has just four goals in 52 games this season. He isn't even getting it done passing with just 11 assists. It has been another trying year for Mara since joining the Rangers late in 2006-07. Mara remains a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Mara has two goals in three games

News: Rangers D Paul Mara scored the team's lone goal during a 2-1 shootout loss to the Sabres Friday. Mara gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead with 37 seconds left in the first period. His shot from the right point appeared to go off Derek Roy before going past Ryan Miller. Mara has four goals this year, with two of them coming over the last three games.

Analysis: Mara hasn't had much luck offensively in 2008-09 with just 15 points in 43 games. We hate to sound like a broken record, but Mara had his best years with the Coyotes and just isn't contributing much on offense with the Rangers. Mara remains a low-end Fantasy option.

Mara has two-point evening

News: Rangers D Paul Mara scored a goal and added an assist during Monday's game against the Penguins. The Rangers made the most of the second 2-second power play of the middle frame when Mara ripped a drive in from the high slot at 17:27 after Scott Gomez cleanly won a faceoff back to him. It was his third goal of the season and first since Dec. 12.

Analysis: Mara hasn't had much luck offensively in 2008-09 with just 14 points in 41 games. We hate to sound like a broken record, but Mara had his best years with the Coyotes and just isn't contributing much on offense with the Rangers. Mara remains a low-end Fantasy option.

Mara has two points during weekend

News: Rangers defenseman Paul Mara had a solid weekend series as he scored a goal Friday against the Devils and followed that up with an assist Saturday against the Hurricanes. He has three points in six December games after getting three points in 14 November games.

Analysis: Mara had all of one goal in 2007-08 and has already doubled that total in 2008-09. He is not one of the Rangers' top offensive weapons, but has managed to hold his own this season. We don't think he has 40-point potential, so Mara remains just a low-end Fantasy option.

Mara nets assist, plus-2

News: Rangers D Paul Mara tallied an assist and finished at plus-2 in 21:06 of ice time Saturday against the Bruins. He also got into a fight with Chuck Kobasew. Mara has a goal and two assists during a three-game point streak.

Analysis: Mara had all of one goal in 2007-08 and he has already matched that total in 2008-09. He has eight points in 20 games, but still is not flashing 40-point potential like during his days with Phoenix. Mara is a low-end blue-liner with the Rangers, and remains only worth using in deeper Fantasy leagues. He has value in leagues that also reward for short-handed stats.

Mara has first goal in a year

News: Rangers D Paul Mara had a goal and finished at even in 17:35 of ice time Monday against the Oilers. The Rangers erased a 2-0 deficit on goals by Mara and Chris Drury. Mara cut the Rangers' deficit in half during the second, when New York fired a season-high 20 shots. Ryan Callahan raced the puck up the middle of the ice and fed a pass to Mara, who zipped in a shot from the center of the left circle at 8:13. It was the defenseman's first goal in 66 games, dating to Nov. 6, 2007, at the New York Islanders.

Analysis: Mara had all of one goal in 2007-08, so he has already matched that total in 2008-09. He has six points in 18 games, but still is not flashing 40-point potential like during his days with Phoenix. Mara is a low-end blue-liner with the Rangers, and remains only worth using in deeper Fantasy leagues. He has value in leagues that also reward for short-handed stats.

Mara has 30 penalty minutes

News: Rangers D Paul Mara has 30 penalty minutes already this season after finishing 2007-08 with only 52 in 61 games.

Analysis: Mara had a monster 113 PIM two seasons ago, but seemed to behave himself last year. This year he's back to his old ways, although 17 of the minutes did come in one game, so he's behaving himself most of the time. Mara is a low-end blue-liner with the Rangers, and remains only worth using in deeper Fantasy leagues that reward PIM.

Mara has two-assist night

News: Rangers D Paul Mara tallied a pair of assists and finished at plus-1 in 20:47 of ice time Thursday against the Thrashers. He now has three assists in his last two games after not getting a point in his previous six contests.

Analysis: Mara will have some nice offensive bursts from time-to-time, but the fact remains is that he hasn't been as effective as an offensive weapon since joining New York in 2006-07. He is a good two-way player, but Mara still remains more of a low-end Fantasy option.

Mara fights with familiar foe

News: Rangers D Paul Mara totaled three penalties and 17 minutes during Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Buffalo. Mara absorbed a hard hit from Patrick Kaleta along the boards near the right point and immediately dropped his gloves and threw punches as Kaleta crouched and covered up in the second period. There was already bad blood between the two because a hit from Kaleta in February caused fractures in Mara's face that required surgery and knocked the defenseman out for 12 games. "It's two hits on me that he has jumped," Mara said. "I just made a decision that enough is enough from that little guy. If he was a man, he would've dropped the gloves and stood in there. I did what I had to do. I'll always remember that hit. And when he was in the scrum he made a pretty classless move, asking me how my face was. You don't want to hurt guys in this league, and to have him say something like that, it's classless."

Analysis: Mara landed several shots while Kaleta kept his gloves on and tried to protect himself. Buffalo came away without any penalties and a five-minute power play at 10:03. "I caught him pretty good last year, but it's part of the game," Kaleta said. "I go in and finish the check. That's my job and that's what I have to do. Whether he didn't like it, or it was from last year, I'm not too sure." Mara doesn't really have the repuatation of enforcer, but will get in a few fights every year. He is trying to get his offensive game back on track after having two disappointing seasons with the Rangers. Continue to treat Mara as a low-end Fantasy defenseman.

Blueshirts able to keep Mara

News: The Rangers re-signed D Paul Mara to a one-year contract Tuesday. Mara appeared in 61 games with the Rangers in 2007-08, registering one goal and 16 assists along with 52 penalty minutes. He finished third on the team among defensemen in assists (16), fourth in shots (80) and second in penalty minutes (52). He also ranked fifth on the team with 74 blocked shots.

Analysis: Mara missed 15 games last season with a shoulder injury and facial fractures. In addition, Mara registered one assist with 20 penalty minutes and a plus-three rating, while appearing in all 10 of the Rangers playoff games. Mara has had two very disappointing seasons from an offensive standpoint with the Rangers and we don't forsee him getting back above 40-points in 2008-09. He remains a low-end Fantasy defenseman.

Mara returns after 12 games absence

News: D Paul Mara returned to the Rangers lineup after a 12-game absence with a facial fracture. Mara replaced Michal Rozsival, who sat out this game due to a leg injury. Mara had a pretty heavy load of 29 shifts and saw 21 minutes of ice time.

Analysis: Mara has only two seasons with more than 40 points in his eight-year NHL career, and his penalty minutes have taken a dive this season. A solid power-play guy for the Rangers, Mara is more important for his team than he is in Fantasy play. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Mara off IR, but won't play Tuesday

News: The New York Rangers have taken Paul Mara off injured reserve, but the defenseman won't play Tuesday night against the Flyers, according to Newsday.

Analysis: Mara has only two seasons with more than 40 points in his eight-year NHL career, and his penalty minutes have taken a dive this season. A solid power-play guy for the Rangers, Mara is more important for his team than he is in Fantasy play. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy option when healthy.

Mara nearing return to Rangers lineup

News:The Sports Xchange reports D Paul Mara is nearing a return to the lineup after missing three weeks following facial fracture surgery. Rangers coach Tom Renney said Mara will go right back in as soon as his conditioning level is back to a game-ready level.

Analysis: Mara has never been much of an offensive threat as a defenseman, but he could always be counted on to rack up the penalty minutes. This season, however, he has only spent 42 minutes in the box, the lowest mark of his career. Be sure to bench him until further notice.

Mara has surgery Monday, out 2 weeks

News: Rangers D Paul Mara was scheduled for facial surgery Monday and will be sidelined for two weeks. The 28-year-old was leveled by Buffalo Sabres F Patrick Kaleta with a check in the New York zone during New York's 4-3 victory on Saturday night. He was examined by doctors Sunday in New York and missed a 5-0 win over Florida at home that night. Rangers coach Tom Renney said before the game that Mara wasn't diagnosed with a concussion. The operation was scheduled for Monday at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York.

Analysis: Mara has never been much of an offensive threat as a defenseman, but he could always be counted on to rack up the penalty minutes. This season, however, he has only spent 42 minutes in the box, the lowest mark of his career. Be sure to bench him this week if you are one of his few owners.

Mara misses Sunday's game

News: Rangers D Paul Mara was not in the lineup Sunday against the Panthers because of a facial injury he sustained Saturday against the Sabres. He remains questionable for Wednesday against the Hurricanes.

Analysis: Mara's play has been frustrating to the Rangers all season and injuries have played a part. He has just 17 points in 55 games and is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy option when healthy. He's an injury-risk start for Fantasy Week 22 (Feb. 25-March 2).

Mara sustains head injury

News: The New York Rangers lost defenseman Paul Mara to a head injury in Saturday's game at Buffalo. Mara was hurt three minutes into the game when he was leveled by Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta, just as the defenseman sent a pass from his own end. Mara, who was slow to get up, did not return, and the Rangers announced he would miss the rest of the game due to a head injury.

Analysis: Mara has just one goal and 16 assists this season. He can be considered a low-end flier in larger Fantasy leagues.

Mara nets assists, plus-2

News: Rangers D Paul Mara tallied an assist and finished at plus-2 during Sunday's game against the Capitals. He now has 15 assists on the season with three coming in his last five games.

Analysis: The Rangers have really been frustrated with Mara's play this season, but early season injuries kind of contributed to his poor play. He seems to be at 100 percent and his numbers have begun to improve. He has eight assists in his last 18 games. Consider him a low-end flier in larger Fantasy leagues.

Mara does not play Tuesday

News: D Paul Mara did not dress Tuesday for the game against the Atlanta Thrashers. Mara does have six assists in the last seven games he played in.

Analysis: Mara has missed a few games this season due to injury and has even been a healthy scratch a few times. He finally seems to be picking up his game, and Fantasy owners can only hope he starts to play like the guy who managed 47 points in 2005-06. He still remains a low-end Fantasy flier at this time.

Mara has four assists in four games

News: Rangers D Paul Mara tallied an assist and finished at minus-1 during Monday's game against the Penguins. He now has at least one assist in three of his last four games (four total). Mara also spent two minutes in the penalty box Monday for holding.

Analysis: Mara has missed a few games this season due to injury and has even been a healthy scratch at times. He finally seems to be picking up his game, and Fantasy owners can only hope he starts to play like the guy who managed 47 points in 2005-06. He still remains a low-end Fantasy flier at this time.

Mara has assist in two straight

News: Rangers D Paul Mara tallied an assist and finished at plus-1 during Sunday's game against the Canadiens. He now has an assist in consecutive games after being held off the stat sheet for five straight games.

Analysis: Mara hasn't lived up to expectations since joining the Rangers in 2006, and he is looking for anything to get his season jump started. He is merely a low-end Fantasy defender at this time.

Mara is skating once again

News:The Sports Xchange reports Rangers D Paul Mara returned Friday against the Thrashers after missing three games with a sprained left shoulder. He failed to record a point and finished at even. He has had that same stat line for six straight games.

Analysis: Mara has dressed for 24 games this season, but has been a real disappointment since joining the Rangers in 2006. He is merely a low-end Fantasy defender at this time.

Paul Mara playing well again

News: Paul Mara has three points in his past three games (1 G, 2 A) for the Rangers. He's seeing more playing time with Marek Malik injured. Malik sat out his fifth game this weekend because of back spasms and bruised ribs, and he remains questionable for Wednesday night's game at New Jersey.

Analysis: Mara has had a hard time staying in the lineup for Rangers coach Tom Renney. As long as he is not getting regular ice time, he should be reserved or dropped in all deeper Fantasy leagues for someone who is actually playing regularly.

D Mara finally makes appearance

News: Rangers D Paul Mara returned to the New York lineup on Friday after being a healthy scratch for two games. He failed to record a point and finished with an even-rating in 13:32 of ice time.

Analysis: Mara has had a hard time staying in the lineup for coach Tom Renney. As long as he is not getting regular ice time, he should be reserved or dropped in all deeper Fantasy leagues for someone who is actually playing regularly.

Mara scratched again Wednesday

News: Rangers defenseman Paul Mara was scratched for a second straight game on Wednesday at N.Y. Islanders, as Rangers coach Tom Renney played Jason Strudwick because of his more rugged play.

Analysis: Mara has had a hard time staying in the lineup for coach Tom Renney. As long as he is not getting regular ice time, he should be reserved or dropped in all deeper Fantasy leagues for someone who is actually playing regularly.

Mara scratched over weekend

News: New York Newsday reports Paul Mara was a healthy scratch for Saturday's game against Ottawa. Coach Tom Renney used veteran Jason Strudwick in his absence.

Analysis: That's not a good sign for Fantasy owners of Renney. He is a risky play heading into Fantasy Week 2 (Oct. 8-14) since the Rangers play Ottawa again next Saturday night. Renney might want to Strudwick again to match up against tough guy Chris Neil.

Mara plays despite shoulder injury

News: Rangers D Paul Mara, playing despite a shoulder injury suffered Monday, scored the Rangers' first goal Thursday against the Islanders. It was the first goal for Mara since scoring in consecutive games on Jan. 9 and Jan. 11.

Analysis: Despite the goal Thursday, Mara is only useful as a low-end defender in most leagues and also helpful in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.

D Mara scoreless in eight

News: Paul Mara has struggled lately, going scoreless over the past eight games with a minus-5 rating heading into Thursday's game against the Sabres.

Analysis: At least Mara has been rolling up some penalty minutes for his Fantasy owners, racking up 21 over the past four games. That's deceptive, however, as 19 came in a game against the Senators on Jan. 20.

D Mara has team-worst +/-

News: Paul Mara has posted three goals and 16 points through 43 games at the All-Star break, but he also has a team-worst minus-14 rating.

Analysis: Mara is scoreless in his past five games and he is on pace for a minus-25 rating, which would be his worst since a minus-27 back in 1999-2000 when he was with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is only worth a look in Fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams at this point.

Mara has pair of helpers

News: Paul Mara picked up two assists with two shots on goal in 25:56 of ice time in Monday's game at Atlanta.

Analysis: Mara managed just one assist with a minus-6 rating through the first 10 games, but he has two assists in each of the past two games with a plus-1 rating. If he continues to contribute, he might re-emerge as a solid Fantasy defenseman again.

Mara shipped to the Bruins

News: Paul Mara was traded to the Boston Bruins along with a third-round draft pick in either 2007 or 2008 on Monday for defenseman Nick Boynton and a fourth round pick in the 2007 draft.

Analysis: Mara posted 15 goals and 32 assists in 78 games for the Coyotes in 2005-06, emerging as a strong No. 2 or 3 Fantasy rearguard in most formats which reward penalty minutes. He might be in the 40-45 point neighborhood again this season, making him a solid middle-round pick on Draft Day.

Mara picks up two helpers

News: Paul Mara had a pair of assists with a plus-2 rating in 25:31 of ice time in Tuesday's game at Detroit.

Analysis: Mara has posted 10 points (2 G, 8 A) over the past 11 games, but he also has minus-4 rating during the span. He is worth adding if you need help among your defensemen, but only in leagues that do not heavily penalize a poor plus/minus rating.

Mara might be out on Sunday

News: The Arizona Republic reports Paul Mara might miss Sunday's game against San Jose due to an injury to his ribs. He was unable to practice on Saturday after suffering the injury on Thursday against Dallas.

Analysis: Mara should be reserved in all daily Fantasy leagues if you have healthier alternatives.

Mara has three-point game

News: Paul Mara scored a goal, added two assists and posted a plus-2 rating in 20:58 of ice time in Thursday's game at St. Louis.

Analysis: Mara entered Thursday's game with just three points (2 G, 1 A) over the past 11 games, so don't get too excited about his performance. He remains useful only in larger Fantasy leagues right now until this type of game becomes a regularity.

News: Mara (neck, back) is questionable for Thursday's game against Detroit. "Neck injuries are always a serious thing, so I'm going to be cautious about coming back," he told the Arizona Republic. Reserve Mara.

News: Mara returned to the Coyotes' lineup Sunday against Carolina after missing two games with a sprained wrist. He's safe to get back into your active lineup, although he doesn't come highly recommended considering the defensive struggles in Phoenix so far this season.

News: Mara was one of three players traded to the Coyotes in the Nikolai Khabibulin deal on Monday. At age 21, he's still a very raw young player, but he should see an increase in Fantasy value with Phoenix, most especially next season. Get him, especially in a keeper league.

News: The Lightning activated Mara from injured reserve, and he will play in tonight's game against Washington. He missed six games with an abdominal strain suffered in a November 14 game against Montreal. Mara has had a surprisingly solid season, so if he gets back into the swing of things quickly, he might be worth a look in deeper Fantasy leagues.